MCC Members Approve Majority Stake in London Spirit

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) members have approved the acquisition of a 51% share in London Spirit. This decision precedes the upcoming sale of franchises for The Hundred tournament. In the 2024 edition of The Hundred, London Spirit’s men’s team concluded the season at the bottom of the standings. This vote occurred subsequent to a Special General Meeting organized by the MCC, the proprietors of Lord’s. Of the 6,037 valid votes submitted, 81.12% supported the acquisition of a controlling interest in Spirit. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has already initiated the process for selling stakes in the tournament’s eight franchises. Within this framework, the eight entities hosting The Hundred teams possess a 51% stake, which they have the option to either divest or retain. The ECB is responsible for selling the remaining 49% share in each team. A spokesperson for the MCC informed BBC Sport that the club’s Hundred steering group intends to “continue to work with the ECB over the sales process progress” on behalf of its committee. The spokesperson further stated that the MCC possesses the authority to “exercise the club’s right of veto regarding an investment partner” should the need arise. Earlier this year, the ECB designated the Raine Group and Deloitte to provide consultancy services concerning the sales of The Hundred franchises. Funds generated from the sale of the 49% stakes in each team are slated for distribution among the 18 first-class counties, the MCC, and the recreational game.